Arch II 1971

Editor: Here we have Ivor Abrahams' "Arch II," a print from an unknown date. It looks like charcoal or graphite. I'm struck by the weight of this imposing arch and how it seems to both invite and exclude. What's your interpretation? Curator: The rough texture and monumental form evoke prehistoric standing stones, but I see more than just ancient history. Consider the social function of arches - gateways, monuments to power. Does this piece challenge or reinforce those power structures? Editor: So you're suggesting it's not just about the past, but about how we still use these forms to control movement and perception today? Curator: Exactly. And consider the "naturalness" of the forms. The rough texture suggests the earth, but it's clearly constructed, mediated. What does that tension say about our relationship with the environment? Editor: That's a lot to think about. I never considered how loaded such a simple shape could be. Curator: Art opens dialogues. I hope this print fosters many more.